Texas Angler Catches 'Queen Bertha' Bass 3 Times in 4 Years

Ross Gomez has reeled in the same 14-pound largemouth bass from the same dock on Lake Alan Henry multiple times.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Ross Gomez, an angler from Post, Texas, has caught the same 14-pound largemouth bass, nicknamed "Queen Bertha", three times in the past four years from the public dock at the Sam Wahl Recreation Area on Lake Alan Henry. Gomez first caught the bass in 2023, donating it to the Toyota ShareLunker program, and it was later released back into the lake. He went on to catch the same fish, now marked with a PIT tag, two more times in 2025 and 2026, making him the first angler in the 39-year history of the program to catch the same fish multiple times from the same lake.

Why it matters

Gomez's remarkable feat highlights the success of the Toyota ShareLunker program, which aims to improve bass fishing in Texas by collecting and spawning the state's largest largemouth bass. The program has helped stock Texas lakes with millions of fingerlings over the years. Gomez's story also showcases the potential for anglers to develop a relationship with individual trophy bass, as well as the importance of catch-and-release practices in maintaining healthy fish populations.

The details

Gomez first caught the 13.22-pound bass, which he nicknamed "Queen Bertha", in February 2023 using lightweight spinning gear. He donated the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program, and it was later released back into the lake with a PIT tag. Gomez caught the same bass, now weighing 14.78 pounds, a second time in February 2025. His most recent encounter with Queen Bertha occurred on January 22, 2026, when the fish weighed 14.74 pounds. Gomez caught the bass using a $25 MegaBass Vision 110 Pro Blue jerkbait while fishing from the public dock.

  • In February 2023, Gomez caught the bass for the first time, when it weighed 13.22 pounds.
  • In April 2023, the bass was released back into the lake after being used for spawning in the Toyota ShareLunker program.
  • In February 2025, Gomez caught the bass a second time, when it weighed 14.78 pounds.
  • On January 22, 2026, Gomez caught the bass for the third time, when it weighed 14.74 pounds.

The players

Ross Gomez

A fun-loving angler from Post, Texas, who spends a considerable amount of time fishing from the public dock at the Sam Wahl Recreation Area on Lake Alan Henry.

Queen Bertha

The nickname Gomez gave to a 14-pound largemouth bass that he has caught three times in the past four years from the same dock on Lake Alan Henry.

Toyota ShareLunker program

A program run by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that aims to improve bass fishing in Texas by collecting and spawning the state's largest largemouth bass.

David De Leon

A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries technician who accompanied Gomez on the live release of the bass in 2023.

James Robbins

Gomez's dock fishing buddy who was crappie fishing when Gomez caught the bass for the third time.

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What they’re saying

“I honestly didn't believe it was the same fish. The color was little different — she looked older. I was blown away when I got the call from TFFC that it was the same fish. It was really cool deal — totally unexpected, for sure.”

— Ross Gomez

What’s next

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will continue to monitor the bass and its movements in Lake Alan Henry, as well as the overall health of the lake's bass population.

The takeaway

Gomez's remarkable feat of catching the same trophy bass three times from the same dock highlights the success of conservation efforts like the Toyota ShareLunker program, and the potential for anglers to develop a personal connection with individual fish. This story showcases the importance of catch-and-release practices in maintaining healthy fisheries.